It stands to reason that without Blake Griffin the Clippers’ chances of having a long run in the postseason are much slimmer. It therefore wasn’t surprising to hear coach Doc Rivers speak in relieved tones about how Griffin was doing after he returned to the team Sunday after missing 15 consecutive games because of a staph infection in his right elbow.

“That’s a good sign,” Rivers said of Griffin, who said his elbow was understandably sore after playing 40-plus minutes in the 100-98 loss to Houston, but nothing more. “That’s all you needed, for him to be better, with the minutes he got. I wasn’t worried about his legs or anything. Just being hit, falling, and he hit the floor a lot. The fact that he came out and feels pretty good is a good sign.”

Griffin, who made his second start Tuesday when the Clippers played host to the Charlotte Hornets, said, “I’m just glad to be back playing.”

Griffin, who turned 26 Monday, sounded like he was almost mad at having to miss so much time for something like this.

“It sucks,” he said. “It was an infection I had to sit out five weeks for and miss all this time. Definitely one of the weirdest things I’ve ever had to deal with.

“Glad it didn’t get further than it did.”

Robinson re-signed

The Clippers on Tuesday signed guard Nate Robinson to a second 10-day contract. He appeared in five games for the Clippers during his first 10-day contract and averaged 4.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.6 minutes. However, Robinson shot just 24.1 percent from the field.

Robinson had his best game with the Clippers on Sunday when he scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting against the Houston Rockets.

Robinson, 30, is in his 10th NBA season.

Rivers gets that Robinson has not shot well, but he still likes the energy he’s brought.

“That’s what we need from him,” Rivers said.

Crawford update

Sixth-man Jamal Crawford, the team’s third-leading scorer at 16.4 points per game, missed his seventh consecutive game Tuesday with a right calf strain and there is still no timetable for his return.

“Jamal is out for a while,” Rivers said.

Hamilton in limbo

The second 10-day contract of swingman Jordan Hamilton expired Monday and though Rivers had the intention of signing him for the rest of the season, Hamilton was instead released — at least for now.

Hamilton sustained an ankle injury on Sunday and while he appeared better at practice Monday, he is not well enough to play. With Matt Barnes out Tuesday with a nagging hamstring injury — he missed games March 2 and March 4 because of it — Rivers said he may need to sign a forward, and that would take the roster spot Hamilton would have.

That said, if Rivers does not make an additional signing and Hamilton’s ankle heals, Hamilton could be re-signed for the rest of the season Sunday, a Clippers spokesman said.

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